Written question asked by Baroness Browning (Conservative) on Thursday, 18 March 2021, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 1 April 2021. It was answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott (Conservative) on Thursday, 25 March 2021 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Disability and Terminal Illnesses

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government what definitions they use for the purpose of assessing health and welfare needs for (1) severe disability, (2) long-term disability, and (3) terminal illness.

Answer: Other than the definition for people who are terminally ill, there is no common definition used for assessing health and welfare needs. What is meant by “severe disability” and/or “long-term disability” will be specific to the benefits or schemes which apply them and could be defined in the legislation applicable and/or the guidance available. The definition of whether a person is “terminally ill” is that they “suffer from a progressive disease and their death in consequence of that disease can reasonably be expected within 6 months.”

Secondary information